Driver behaviour cause of incidents N78 and N80 junction in Laois

Driver behaviour is being blamed for cars driving “straight through” a major crossroads linking the N80 and N78 in Laois without stopping. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming asked in a motion “that Laois County Council in the interest of health and safety to look at more safety measures at the Mill Crossroads below Pedigree, at the junction of the N80/ N78 and to include the installation of flashing radar signs coming towards the four crossroads indicating Dangerous Junction Ahead as there is a lot of incidents / near misses at this junction due to driver behaviour.”

He said local residents had informed him that “cars are just literally going through the stop signs” and “there have been a few dangerous incidents” on the road. 

“It is a dangerous spot because of the way motorists are driving through stop signs,” he said.  

In a written response, a Road Design Engineer at the Council stated that “Road Design have assessed the junction at Simmons Mill crossroads on the N80/N78. TII funding has been secured to carry out preliminary investigative works. These will include Topographical Surveys, Speed Surveys, Traffic Counts etc. Road Design will be tendering these works in the coming weeks with a view to getting them completed in Q4 of 2025.

In the interim, Road Design will assess the area with a view to installing Speed Radar signs at required locations.” 

Cllr Vivienne Phelan seconded the motion at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.